The tigrillo (Leopardus tigrinus) is a placental mammal that is part of the Felidae family. The coat of this species is ocher or yellowish brown in color, with a pattern of black spots, rosettes and stripes. This characteristic allows the animal to go unnoticed in the shady environment where it lives..
It is one of the smallest wild cats in South America. It usually measures between 40 and 65 centimeters and weighs a maximum of 3.5 kilograms. The Leopardus tigrinus it is mainly terrestrial, however, it is an excellent climber; from the trees it stalks its prey before attacking it. It could also do it on the ground, at a distance. Then he pounces on the animal.
Its diet is based on mammals, invertebrates, birds, eggs and lizards, among others. This species is also known as the bush cat, tiger cat, tiger, oncilla, tigrina or cervantes cat. Their habits are nocturnal, but these could be modified by the "ocelot effect", one of their predators..
In the presence of this animal in the same territory, the tigrillo could marginalize its distribution, change its habitat or modify its behavior. This is because it tries to avoid interspecies conflicts with its natural predator..
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Modern cats arose in Asia with the separation, in the Late Miocene, of the Panthera lineage, around 10.8 million years ago. Then, 9.4 million years ago, the divergence of the clade Catopuma occurred, currently represented by the Asian golden cat, the Borneo cat and the marbled cat..
The first migration occurred between 8.5 and 5.6 million years, at the time that an ancestor of the Caracal lineage arrived in Africa. In relation to the second exodus, it occurred thanks to the formation of the Beringia Bridge.
This united the Asian continent with the American one, thanks to the decrease in sea water levels. Through this bridge, the rest of the five lineages reached North America 8.5-8.0 million years ago. This displacement coincides with the stage in which the carnivores arrived in the New World, coming from Eurasia.
From this direct ancestor the lineages of the puma, the ocelot and the lynx were differentiated, a fact that occurred approximately 8.0 to 6.7 million years ago. Later, there was migration to South America, through the Isthmus of Panama.
The tigrillo is one of the smallest wild cats in South America. The male is usually larger than the female. Thus, while the female weighs between 1.5 and 2 kilograms, the male can weigh up to 3.5 kilograms.
In relation to the length of the body, it varies from 40 to 65 centimeters, not including the tail. This is relatively long, measuring between 25 and 33 centimeters.
The Leopardus tigrinus it has a dense and smooth coat, with a pattern of spots that identifies each animal. The hairs are slightly coarse and short. However, on the head and the inguinal area they are longer than those of the rest of the body..
The body color can vary from yellowish brown to dark brown. Despite the yellowish brown color that characterizes it, there are some melanic felines
The face, throat, lips, chin, and cheeks are light gray, white, or light cream. There are two dark brown or black stripes on the cheekbones, which cross in a longitudinal direction.
On the upper area of the head it has several small spots, elliptical or rounded in shape. 4 or 5 longitudinal stripes extend along the entire length of the nape, reaching the anterior region of the back.
The ears are round, with a black dorsal surface, except at the base, which retains the same color as the rest of the head..
On the back, the spots can be interconnected or separated, forming longitudinal rows. On the contrary, in the interscapular area the pattern of these points is irregular.
On the sides of the body, the brown tone of the base lightens, ending in a white belly. Likewise, the rosettes and solid spots that are on the sides unify, forming medium or small oblique bands, arranged in a scapular inguinal direction..
In relation to the rosettes, they have edges in a dark brown or black tone. The inner part is darker than that of the spaces between the rosettes and the bands.
As for the extremities, they have medium spots and rosettes, which become smaller towards the distal end. The tail has between 7 and 13 dark, black or brown rings, which alternate with others of the same tone on the back. This ends in a dark tip.
The particular coloration helps the oncilla, as this species is also known, to mix with the games of light and shadow of the undergrowth where it lives..
On the face, large eyes stand out, compared to the size of the head. These have golden or light brown irises and the pupils contract vertically.
The jaw is short and well developed. As for the teeth, the upper canines are long and narrow, with a length that could vary from 22.73 to 27.85 millimeters. Carnassials are well developed, adapted to a carnivorous diet.
The eye sockets are rounded, large, and oriented forward. The front is highly developed and viewed from the side, it has a convex profile. This gives the area a slight curve. As for the base of the brain, it is oval and large.
The sagittal crest may be absent or appear as a short line, restricted to the interparietal area. The occipital area has a rounded edge, thus giving it a shape similar to a semicircle. The auditory bulla is oval and relatively large.
The Leopardus tigrinus it is distributed in Central and South America. In these regions, it appears discontinuous and irregular, without an apparent connection between these areas..
In Central America, it is found in Panama and north of Costa Rica. The cloud forests of this country are characterized by the abundance of populations of tigrillo. On the other hand, in Panama, it is registered in the Barú Volcano National Parks.
In relation to the South American continent, it inhabits from Colombia to the northern region of Argentina, at a height that can vary from sea level to 3,626 meters high. Also, its geographic range is extended throughout Brazil, Guyana and Suriname..
In Venezuela, Leopardus tigrinus It is found separately, thus identifying three subpopulations. One is located in the deltaic system and south of the Orinoco, made up of L. tigrinus tigrinus.
The other two groups, corresponding to L. tigrinus pardinoides, They are in the Cordillera de la Costa, in the Andean region and in the Sierra de Perijá.
In Colombia, it lives in the Andes, in the Department of Antioquia, in the Western Cordillera, at elevations from 1,900 to 4,800 meters. In addition, it is located in the Los Nevados National Natural Park, located in the central Colombian Andes..
Currently, there are no reports of sightings of this species in Uruguay or Chile. Likewise, it is absent in the Venezuelan and Colombian plains and in the Paraguayan Chaco. However, records have been reported in the Rupununi savannas in Guyana
This feline lives in diverse habitats, among which are rainy and cloud forests, semi-arid and deciduous forests, subtropical and tropical forests. Also, it can live in thorn bushes, montane forests, humid savannas and swamps..
The vast majority of tigrillos that are in Costa Rica inhabit cloud forests, montane forests, on the sides of volcanoes and in other mountains, at elevations of 1000 meters.
In the northeast and central region of South America, the Leopardus tigrinus it is fundamentally associated with the mountain cloud forest. They have also been identified in scrub.
In Colombia, although it seems to be restricted to ecosystems 1,500 meters high, it can live at 4,500 meters. This also occurs in the highlands of Brazilian subtropical forests and in the Andean lands in Ecuador..
In Brazil, it lives in lands below 500 meters, associating with thorn scrub, dry deciduous forests and savannas. In that country it can live in disturbed habitats and even in places close to human settlements, as long as there is some natural cover and prey to feed.
However, research carried out in Caatinga, in Brazil, has shown that this species is favored by those spaces that are distanced from rural settlements..
Generally, the density of the tigrillo population is low, being between 1 and 5/100 km2. Only in very few areas, where the ocelot is absent, can it reach densities between 15 and 25/100 km2.
In the Amazon, a region where the tropical cats of America take refuge, the Leopardus tigrinus has a very low ratio, of only 0.01 animal per 100 km2.
The tigrillo is classified by the IUCN as a species vulnerable to extinction. In the 70s and 80s the population of this feline was considerably reduced, mainly motivated by its excessive hunting.
Subsequently, its population began to recover, which is why it was considered an animal of least concern. After 11 years, the number of tigrillos decreased again, a situation that currently remains.
For decades, the tigrillo has been hunted for its skin, an aspect that increased when the ocelot trade declined. Its fur was widely used in the 1960s and 70s in the fashion markets of Europe and North America..
Although this situation has ceased, it is still caught illegally, to be marketed as a pet..
Due to the degradation of its habitat, this species has access to farms, where it can attack poultry, to feed on them. This has caused it to become a hunting target for farmers, who capture this feline, trying to avoid the predation of their breeding animals..
The main threat is isolation and habitat fragmentation. An example of this occurs in the Andean cloud forests. In these, the land is deforested to be used in agriculture, especially for the cultivation of coffee..
This causes the reduction of the habitat of the Leopardus tigrinus, as it happens in Caatinga and in the Cerrado, in Brazil. The natural habitat of this species is also disturbed by the construction of hydroelectric dams and by urban sprawl..
Another factor that degrades the ecosystem is the construction of roads. These contribute to separate the natural environment where the tigrillo develops, fragmenting it.
In addition, when the animal tries to cross the road, it could be hit by a vehicle, causing serious damage and even death..
This endangered species is included in CITES, in Appendix I. In addition, it is under legal protection in some countries where it lives. Thus, in Costa Rica it is under the protection of Decree No. 26435-MINAE.
It is also protected by the Organic Environmental Law No. 7554 and the Wildlife Conservation Law No. 7317. Refuges have been created in this nation, such as those of the Pozo Azul de Pirrís National Parks and the Irazú Volcano and Chirripo,
In Argentina, the Argentine Society for the Study of Mammals (SAREM) classifies this feline as vulnerable. Likewise, since 2012 it has been in the Red Book of Threatened Mammals of that country..
Hunting of this feline is prohibited in Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, French Guiana, Costa Rica, Suriname, Venezuela and Paraguay.
Animal Kingdom.
Subkingdom Bilateria.
Chordate phylum.
Vertebrate Subphilum.
Tetrapoda superclass.
Mammal class.
Subclass Theria.
Infraclass Eutheria.
Order Carnivora.
Suborder Feliformia.
Family Felidae.
Genus Leopardus.
Species Leopardus tigrinus.
Subspecies
-Leopardus tigrinus oncilla.
-Leopardus tigrinus tigrinus.
-Leopardus tigrinus pardinoides.
The female is sexually mature between two and two and a half years, while the male may do so a little earlier. The researchers note that, considering the size of the feline, sexual maturity occurs quite late. This could lead to a low reproductive potential, compared to other felines..
The estrus lasts between 3 and 9 days. As the female progresses in age, the duration of this reproductive cycle decreases. As for mating, it usually occurs throughout the year, however, it can present variations according to the region where it lives..
After mating, the male separates from the female and takes no part in raising the young. The gestation stage lasts between 75 and 78 days, after which between 1 and 4 puppies are born.
The young are born weighing about 92 and 134 grams. Their eyes are closed, opening them after 8 to 17 days. Unlike other felines, in which the canines are born first, in 334 3434 all the teeth sprout at the same time. This usually happens around 21 days after birth..
Weaning occurs at three months, however, when the puppies are between 38 and 56 days old, they begin to eat pieces of meat. The vast majority of tigrillos are adults at 11 months and completely independent at 4 months of age..
The tigrillo is a hypercarnivorous animal, so its diet is made up of more than 70% meat. This is typical of members of the Felidae family, while the rest of the members of the Carnivora order consume between 50 and 60% of meat, along with plant material..
Their diet is varied, it is made up of small mammals, such as possums, squirrels, rodents, weasels and monkeys. Also, it consumes birds and their eggs and to a lesser extent amphibians and reptiles. I could occasionally eat grass.
Some of their favorite prey are the bush rat (Heteromys desmarestianus Y Peromyscus mexicanus) shrewsCryptotis spp.) and the leaping patigrandePezopetes capitalis), an endemic bird to Costa Rica and Panama.
Leopardus tigrinus It is a nocturnal animal, but its activity pattern could vary depending on the behavior of its prey. For example, in Caatinga, their main source of food is the lizard, which is active during the day.
Due to this, the tigrillo probably needs to modify its hunting habit during the daytime hours..
This species has some adaptations that allow it to be very efficient hunters. Among these is its athletic body and spotty coat, which allows it to blend in with the environment. Also, it has developed the sense organs, which help it to locate its prey..
Likewise, it has excellent vision and, together with the vibrissae, it facilitates night hunting. Thanks to its hearing capacity, it can detect the movement of its prey in the dark.
Generally, it hunts from the trees, stalking the animal and then capturing it. However, if necessary it goes down to the ground to hunt. If the prey is a bird, it usually plucks it before ingesting it.
In the case that it is a small animal, it kills it by biting it on the neck. On the contrary, if the animal is larger, it attacks it from the back.
The tigrillo is a solitary animal, which forms a couple almost exclusively in the reproductive season. It has predominantly nocturnal habits. However, it could carry out activities during the day, as a possible strategy to avoid predation by the ocelot.
The Leopardus tigrinus it is a territorial animal and the presence of another species, such as the ocelot, can interfere with its occurrence in the habitat. In this way, they may be forced to occupy other areas, to be active during different hours or to migrate to marginal spaces within the territory..
In this way they avoid direct encounters and intra-guild predation that may occur..
When threatened, this feline shows aggressive behavior. Arch your back and lift the hair from the back. At the same time it shows teeth and emits vocalizations similar to whistles.
Young tend to communicate with their mother using purrs, while adults have shorter, more rhythmic calls..
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